96 Bulletin 194 



THE BIRCHES 



Tlie birches are distributed widely over the Old and the New 

 Worlds, being most abundant in the higher latitudes. Nine species 

 occur in North America, four of which are found in Vermont. They 

 are all graceful trees with slender flexuous branches and delicate foli- 

 age. Both the ovule-bearing and pollen-bearing flowers are found on 

 the same tree, but in separate clusters. The staminate catkins are long 

 and drooping, while the pistillate are shorter and not pendulous until 

 fruited. 



The wood of birches is valued chiefly for cabinet making, spools 

 and other small articles. 



